Parents of Triplets Grateful For All The Joy And Challenges

Lauren and Sean Wardwell of Coventry with their daughter Sophia and identical triplets Nathan, Sam and Scott.

Lauren and Sean Wardwell of Coventry with their daughter Sophia and identical triplets Nathan, Sam and Scott. (Courtesy of Lauren Wardwell)

SARAH CODYSpecial To The Courant

Mother of Triplets says: “It was important to me to get the word out and let people know and kind of rem

Last month, a Montana woman made news after giving birth to identical spontaneous triplets, conceived without the aid of fertility drugs. Considered very rare, this occurs in about one in a million pregnancies. But, it's a situation that Lauren Wardwell of Coventry knows well. "I want to pick up the phone and call them and say, 'It's crazy, it's nuts but enjoy it! It's special!'" laughs this mom of identical triplets, Nathan, Sam and Scott, who have a big sister, Sophia. As the boys celebrate their third birthday this week, Wardwell and her husband, Sean, are reflecting on their unique journey with multiples, which has been undeniably complicated yet incredibly joyful.

"We went for an ultrasound and they said it was twins," remembers this senior coordinator for The Hartford. But, at about four months, a lab technician had trouble obtaining measurements. "She zoomed out on the ultrasound and there it was, three babies right there," says Wardwell, immediately overwhelmed at the prospect of three new mouths to feed, house and clothe. "It was a shock! Quite a surprise!" But, as time went on, she got used to the idea, along with her changing body. Wardwell was told by doctors to expect a 60- to 100-pound weight gain. "As a woman, that's scary," she says. But, she only gained 26 pounds, carrying all of the weight in her belly: "It was uncomfortable to sit, to lie down, to eat!"

Two boys shared a placenta causing a dangerous condition called "twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome". Surgery to separate their blood vessel communication was successful and Wardwell spent the remainder of the pregnancy on modified bed rest. Expecting a scheduled Caesarean section, her water broke at 32 weeks. "I was scared to death," says Wardwell, recalling the intensity in the delivery room of UCONN Medical Center. "They just take the babies and they run. And I had a team of doctors! Doctors for me, each of the boys had 7 to 10 doctors, so this room was full of people." A few hours later, she was able to see her tiny boys, each weighing 2.5 to 4 pounds, hooked to machines in the NICU. "As a mom, it's hard to see your baby like that. It was tough," she says.

Now, the boys are thriving, keeping their parents and sister, age 6, on their toes. Genetic testing confirmed they are identical triplets. While life is full of constant potty training, meal making and picking-up, Wardwell knows she's extraordinarily lucky. "Sometimes I forget how rare and special it is and they are," she says with emotion. "It was important to me to get the word out and let people know and kind of remind myself: It's neat."